Noah Maze
I just got home from Noah's workshop: Power of Inversions and Meditation. It is part of a series of four workshops given at City Yoga designed to help yogis understand and refine their practice of Sirsasana (headstand), Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand), Halasana (Plow) and their cycles. These are poses that unfortunately are not taught that often in classes (Anusara classes are generally known for their handstands, forearm balances and their backbends) and yet they are such important and delicious poses.
Noah had us start in child's pose which in theory is an Inversion since the head is below the heart. Child's pose was such a brilliant starting point as it also reminds us to soften and retain the quality of ease through the two and a half hour workshop. We then moved into a down dog, followed by a forward bend. And then we went to the wall where we did an L-Pose held for about a minute followed by an Inverted L-Pose.
Then we held supported Uttanasana, Down Dog and Prasarita Padottanasana. My hamstrings felt really tight in these holdings- I'm not the most open yogi by any means, and when you hold a pose for a while you start to notice your weak points. We then moved into Sirsasana cycle and Noah used several yogis to show how to align your spine. It was all so well explained, so clear and lucid. We found a partner and looked at each other's spines and gave each other's notes on how to align- we also watched each other do Headstands. I worked with my friend Nicole and we helped each other find a curve in our necks as we both have some flattening in the cervical spine.
Then we moved all of us to the wall and did a long held Sirsasana with several variations. I think we were up for 8 minutes. At some point near the end I came down. I would like to continue to deepen my practice of Headstand.
We then did a few Supta Padanguthasanas. Divine! Then we moved to Sarvangasana and Plow. Noah had us use the wooden floor for the first Sarvangasana and it made the alignment clearer as you can really feel C7 when you are on the floor. However, he explained, if you are holding Sarvangasana longer than 5 minutes, then you should use props. We used a strap around our upper arms and three blankets and I have to say it was the most delicious Shoulder Stand I've ever done. It felt- I'm serious- like I was asleep.
We then did several Sarvangasana variations followed by Plow.
Lastly we ended with a meditation.
What a gifted teacher Noah is! He is so fiery and dedicated. So intense and yet loving.
I adore and cherish him and he helps me tap into my power.
I will sleep well tonight...
Thank you Noah,
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